In a galaxy far, far away there was a congressional investigation into illegal drug use, particularly cocaine, in the garbage industry. There were hearings and recriminations. One particular worker named Codger Lemons was called before Congress with a man who claimed to be his dealer to give testimony about his own and his industry's drug problem.
Codger made many statements, under oath, that were directly contradicted by the evidence collected by the FBI and the sworn statements of the dealer. The evidence indicated that Codger had been snorting coke while picking up garbage because it made him work faster, pick up more garbage in a day, and therefore made more money.
But Codger said adamantly that it was all lies, and that he never did cocaine. His wife did it once in the bedroom with his dealer, but Codger never thought about it.
After the hearing, the Democratic and Republican leaders both realized Codger had been lying to them, committing perjury before Congress. So they forwarded their allegations to the FBI with a request that an investigation begins.
In reaction, a Democratic Congressman, Rep. Anthony Weiner (NY), said this:
"The FBI should focus on the real threats facing our communities, such as terrorism and violent crime," Weiner wrote in his letter to Mukasey. "Whether or not [Codger Lemons] may have committed perjury should not compete with real national security threats for the FBI's time, attention and resources."
The entire press corps covered the statement, but made no attempt to note that perjuring yourself in front of Congress or a court is a threat to national security and can never be allowed. Especially when it is so apparent.
Either Codger or the dealer are lying, and whether or not the hearing rises to the level of 9/11 hearings it is still lying to Congress.
But that's OK for some members of Congress. Because, after all, it's only a little drugs on a garbage truck, and perjury in front of Congress. It's not like it matters in the scheme of things.